Crash!
The expensive vase shattered to pieces.
"Bastards! Bastards! Bastards!"
Orochi roared, his face twisted with rage, destroying everything in sight. Only when not a single object in the room remained intact did he stop, panting heavily.
His fury continued to burn unchecked.
"Those lowborn scum dared to betray me!"
Just moments ago, he had learned about Hakumai City's presales, and that large numbers of Flower Capital residents were heading to Hakumai to buy homes.
He could already foresee that once Hakumai City was completed, the Flower Capital's population would inevitably plummet.
His greatest fear had come true.
The Flower Capital was his most important power base. Its residents were the samurai families who supported him and the lowborn people who served them.
If its population fell too much, the Flower Capital could fall into decline, setting off a chain reaction.
He would suffer the greatest losses!
"Devil Muscle Man!"
Killing intent surged through Orochi as Good's image surfaced in his mind.
When the Hot Spring Shop first opened, he had paid Good no mind. Now, Good had become the thorn in his side he most wanted to eliminate.
He had to admit that the man was a terrifying, unfathomable opponent. His money-making methods, especially, were faster than outright robbery.
Even he owed him fifty thousand gold!
Fukurokuju advised, "Lord Orochi, it isn't just the Flower Capital's residents now. People from every other region are also rushing to Hakumai. This is already a foregone conclusion."
"A foregone conclusion?!"
Orochi glared at Fukurokuju.
Unfazed, Fukurokuju calmly met his gaze.
It wasn't just ordinary people buying homes now. The samurai families were heading to Hakumai too, and they made up the bulk of the buyers. Even he had secretly sent people there.
Only a fool would pass up a chance to make money.
Even if he didn't care about that little bit of money, his family felt differently. Failing to cash in on this opportunity was as good as losing money!
Hakumai's construction was now an unstoppable trend. Shogun Orochi could disregard the common people's feelings, but he had to take the samurai families' interests seriously.
If he lost their support, Orochi might not even be able to hold on to his position as shogun. It was obvious which concern mattered more.
After a long stare, Orochi snorted.
He understood the gravity of the situation.
Fukurokuju smiled. "Don't be anxious, Lord Orochi. Our immediate priority is exterminating the bandits. Doesn't that man want troops and money? We'll give him both!"
"Once we reach Kuri and the extermination force clashes with the bandits, it would be perfectly normal for a Shinuchi to die, wouldn't it?"
"As for Hakumai, no matter how well it develops, with only Kaido's daughter propping it up, it will sooner or later become ours for the taking."
According to the Oniwabanshu's investigation, everything happening in Hakumai had been planned by Good. As long as they secretly eliminated him, everything would return to normal.
"Guhuhuhu, exactly!"
Orochi brightened at those words.
"Fukurokuju, summon the local gentry immediately!"
"Understood."
The next morning, at the Hot Spring Club.
Four Oniwabanshu ninjas arrived at the Hot Spring Club. Their leader was built like an ox, with dark skin. Within the Oniwabanshu, his rank was second only to their captain, Fukurokuju.
"Lord Good, my name is Daikoku."
Daikoku spoke steadily. "The four of us will follow your orders during this bandit extermination campaign. Five hundred samurai are also awaiting your command!"
"Excellent."
Good smiled and nodded.
Hakumai's expansion was undermining Orochi's foundations, so he had no choice but to panic. Still, Good hadn't expected him to send four members of the Oniwabanshu.
These ninjas were all elites.
They weren't particularly strong, but they at least had Shinuchi-level fighting ability. They would be quite useful against small fry.
Orochi probably had an ulterior motive for sending them.
Good didn't pursue the matter. He turned to the other three ninjas and asked with interest, "What are your names?"
"Wind Blade!"
"Thunder Blade!"
"Chiyome!"
The three introduced themselves in turn.
Daikoku said gravely, "Lord Good, exterminating the bandits cannot wait. The shogun hopes you can depart immediately."
"Hold on."
Good waved a hand and leisurely asked Daikoku, "I'd like to know whether the funds for this campaign are ready."
"The shogun is still raising them."
Daikoku frowned.
Yesterday, Shogun Orochi had summoned the major families to discuss donations for the campaign and contributed a hundred thousand gold himself. With the shogun taking the lead, the samurai families were naturally willing to contribute.
But raising the money would take some time!
Shogun Orochi didn't want to wait, however, so he had sent them ahead.
"No money?!"
Good's expression changed. He slammed the table and rose to his feet.
"Damn it, how are we supposed to exterminate bandits without money?!"
"This campaign is for the stability of the nation and to protect the samurai families' interests! If a lack of funds delays it, every bastard who refuses to pay is guilty!"
"Daikoku, send someone to tell those dawdling bastards that only when the money arrives will we have the motivation and confidence to go to Kuri and wipe out the bandits!"
"Fuck, what rotten luck!"
He cursed without the slightest restraint.
Cold sweat poured off Daikoku and the other three. The more timid Chiyome went pale, looking at Good as though he were a madman.
Clearly, he was cursing the shogun.
They had never seen anyone demand money with such self-righteous confidence, as though the shogun and the samurai families owed him.
Did he have a death wish?!
"Hahaha, don't be so nervous."
Good's angry expression vanished, and he burst out laughing.
"The bandit campaign can wait a little."
"The four of you have come a long way. You must be tired. At a time like this, you should relax and get yourselves into good shape, both physically and mentally."
"How about this? Today is my treat!"
"Cai Die, VIP service for four!"
"Listen, make sure our four honored guests experience every service we offer!"
As Good finished speaking, Cai Die entered the room with more than a dozen female attendants, all smiling as they welcomed the four.
Daikoku struggled to keep his composure.
"Lord Good, we-"
"Are you refusing to show me respect?"
Good's face darkened, a vicious glint flashing in his eyes.
"I wouldn't dare!"
Daikoku promptly backed down.
It wasn't time to openly turn against him yet. Even if they were going to assassinate him, they had to wait until the extermination force engaged the bandits, then pin the blame on Ashura Doji.
"That's more like it."
Good patted Daikoku's shoulder and said with a smile, "We're all brothers here. We ought to get along, wouldn't you agree?"
"You're absolutely right, my lord!"
Daikoku nodded sullenly.
After sending the ninjas off, Good dropped onto the sofa, his brows knitted as he considered his next move.
I have no one I can use.
His greatest problem was that he had very few dependable subordinates. He had to handle everything personally.
Blue Worm and the others were trustworthy, but too weak. Acho and the other gang bosses were reasonably strong, but not loyal enough. He could only use them for odd jobs.
If only Ulti and Little Pei were here.
Yamato, Ulti, Little Pei...
After thinking it over, his only real power base was the Beasts Pirates' younger generation. The other senior officers were all seasoned old hands. There was virtually no chance they would follow him.
Good looked out the window.
Judging by the time, Yamato should be back soon.
"Good, I'm back!"
Covered in dirt, Yamato burst into the room, carrying a newspaper she had brought from Hakumai's submerged port.
"Here, the newspaper you wanted!"
"Thanks."
Good took the newspaper and eagerly flipped through it. When he found the information he wanted, a smile spread across his face.
"Fire Fist" Ace!
The favorable wind he needed had arrived!
Chapter 41: Oden Kaido?
The eastern outskirts of the Flower Capital.
Hundreds of samurai assembled, with Shogun Orochi and a host of wealthy nobles behind them, along with a large crowd of curious onlookers.
Good and Yamato rode two elk at the head of the force.
Only a week had passed since Orochi announced the bandit extermination campaign, yet both the troops and the funds had already been assembled.
Five hundred samurai, four Oniwabanshu ninjas, and nearly three hundred thousand gold-the sheer scale of the undertaking showed the residents of every region how determined they were to wipe out the bandits.
Without any unnecessary words, Good raised his arm.
The clamor stopped abruptly.
"Move out!"
"Oooooh!!!"
The samurai raised their swords excitedly.
Exterminating bandits meant military merit, wealth, and honor.
Their destination: Kuri.
Half a day later, at the bandit stronghold deep within Atama Mountain.
Before you continue